One of the CMRI fathers is Fr. Kruschev, and he's a former Russian Orthodox priest with a doctorate (maybe even a few?) in history. He said something along the lines of not trusting Putin in the slightest, that the only thing he cares about is Putin and that he's a ruthless pragmatist who will put on whatever appearance works. Right now that's one of "family values" but if liberalism could win him favor and power, he'd be a liberal. I don't know either way but the "inside" view of a very learned traditional Catholic seems more than worthy of consideration when assessing the man.

" ruthless pragmatist" that's a good thing, isn't it ? 😏Wouldn't that make him more honest and reliable than most other politicians ?

It would mean that he is a sociopath without any morals, who simply does "what works." Presently, old-country conservatism and religiosity "work." The idea is that if seizing the means of production and implementing a socialist regime "worked," he'd do that instead.

I don't have a strong opinion on Putin, just relaying the opinion of someone who I think is far more qualified to have one.

I think that's the round-about way of saying, yes, that makes him more honest and reliable than most other politicians...at least those in America.

Pragmatists, in this sense, are not honest people, but exactly the opposite. They make decisions and say things based on the current tide and tenor of social sentiment. What's "right" is whatever keeps them in office, whatever furthers there agenda, whatever gains them favor. It is not a moral way of behaving.